Autopsies on 15 Palestinian paramedics and emergency responders who were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza have revealed they were shot with “intent to kill”. The Palestinian Red Crescent is demanding an international investigation into the attack, which sparked international condemnation.
The killings occurred in March during a renewed Israeli offensive in Hamas-ruled territory. Video footage shows ambulances with headlights and flashing red lights, wearing hi-vis vests, before being fired on. Germany has called for an urgent investigation, stating “there are very significant questions about the actions of the Israeli army”.
A total of eight Red Crescent staff, six civil defence agency members, and one UN employee were killed in the attack. The bodies were later found buried near the site of the shooting, described as a mass grave by the UN office for coordination of humanitarian affairs.
The Israel Defense Forces initially said soldiers did not randomly attack ambulances, claiming they fired on “terrorists” approaching in suspicious vehicles. However, this account has been contradicted by video footage. The IDF later conceded its earlier statement was “mistaken”, and claimed six medics were linked to Hamas without providing evidence.
Human rights organisations have long accused Israel of a culture of impunity, with few soldiers facing justice for past attacks that have killed hundreds of medical workers and NGOs staff. A recent attack on World Central Kitchen’s clearly marked vehicles killed six members, including British national James Kirby.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/07/gaza-paramedics-shot-in-upper-body-with-intent-to-kill-red-crescent-says